Movable stage apparatus

ABSTRACT

This invention aims at preventing a space including the guide surface of a reticle stage from interfering with an exposure light beam. In order to achieve this object, in a movable stage apparatus having a reticle stage on which a reflecting reticle is to be mounted, when the space is divided by a plane including the reflection surface of the reticle, the guide surface for moving the reticle is arranged in a space opposite to a space where an exposure light beam reflected by the reticle passes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a lithography technique for manufacturing semiconductor devices or the like and, more particularly, to a technique for projecting a reticle pattern onto a limited band-like rectangular or arcuate region on a wafer and scanning a reticle and the wafer synchronously in one-dimensional direction, so that the reticle pattern is transferred onto the wafer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Conventionally, the photolithography process as one of processes for manufacturing semiconductor devices represented by semiconductor integrated circuits uses various types of exposure apparatuses to expose a circuit pattern or the like formed on a mask or reticle (to be referred to as a reticle hereinafter) onto a wafer coated with a photosensitive agent (photoresist).

[0003] Currently, as the semiconductor devices shrink in feature size and increase in integration density, a projection exposure apparatus or so-called stepper, and a so-called scanning type exposure apparatus have been widely used. The projection exposure apparatus moves the irradiation region of the exposure light to expose the exposure regions of a reticle. The scanning type exposure apparatus projects a reticle pattern onto a limited band-like rectangular or arcuate region on a wafer, and scans a reticle and the wafer synchronously in one-dimensional direction, so that the reticle pattern is transferred onto the wafer. The movable stage apparatus described above generally uses linear motors as its driving source. FIG. 6 shows a conventional movable stage apparatus (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-12539) mounted on the scanning type projection exposure apparatus described above.

[0004] The conventional movable stage apparatus is constituted by a guide 102 fixed on a reticle base 101, a reticle stage 103 reciprocally movable in a Y-axis direction (the scanning direction of the reticle stage will be defined as the Y-axis; to be referred to as the Y-axis direction hereinafter) along the guide 102, and a pair of linear motors 106 a and 106 b arranged on the two sides of the reticle stage 103 along its traveling path to accelerate and decelerate the reticle stage 103 in the Y-axis direction. The reticle stage 103 is guided by a hydrostatic bearing (air slide) 107 and a preload mechanism in noncontact with a guide surface.

[0005] A reticle R is chucked on the reticle stage 103, and a projection optical system (not shown) is provided under the reticle stage 103. A wafer is held by a wafer stage (not shown). The wafer stage also has a driving mechanism similar to that of the reticle stage 103, and is controlled in the same manner as the reticle stage 103.

[0006] In general, the resolution of an exposure apparatus is mainly determined by a wavelength λ of an exposing illumination light source and a numerical aperture NA of a projection optical system. More specifically, the shorter the wavelength λ of the exposing illumination light source to be used or the larger the numerical aperture NA of the projection optical system, the higher the resolution. Therefore, the wavelength of the exposing illumination light source used in the exposure apparatus decreases year by year, and the numerical aperture NA of the projection optical system increases.

[0007] In a current mainstream exposure apparatus, a KrF excimer laser (λ=248 nm) or ArF excimer laser (λ=193 nm) is used as the exposing illumination light source. An exposure apparatus that uses an F₂ laser with a shorter wavelength (λ=157 nm) is also being introduced on a practical level.

[0008] To transfer a circuit pattern with a practical minimum line width of 70 nm to 100 nm or less onto a wafer, a light source with a much shorter wavelength is necessary. To meet the above demand, an EUV exposure apparatus that uses EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) light with a wavelength λ of about 13 nm, which is shorter than even that of the exposing illumination light source described above by one or more orders of magnitude, has been attracting attention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A reticle stage as a master stage for an exposure apparatus that uses EUV light as the exposure light has the following problems to be solved.

[0010] EUV light is absorbed by materials greatly. Hence, on a reticle or mask as a transmitting master, the exposure energy reaching a wafer as a photosensitive substrate decreases greatly due to light absorption by the master. For this reason, in the EUV exposure apparatus, use of a reticle or master as a reflecting master has been considered.

[0011] When a reflecting master is mounted on a conventional stage as shown in FIG. 6, as the master is irradiated with EUV light from a lower portion in FIG. 6, an opening through which the EUW light passes must be formed in the guide. This makes an EUV optical system complicated, and accordingly a guide or motor should not interfere with the EUV light. This is not preferable as an exposure apparatus.

[0012] The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and has as its object to provide a preferable stage apparatus on which a reflecting master is to be mounted. It is another object of the present invention to provide an EUV exposure apparatus which can suitably use a reflecting master.

[0013] In order to achieve the above objects, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a movable stage apparatus is comprising a master stage on which a reflecting master is to be mounted, wherein when a space is divided by a plane including a reflection surface of the master, a guide surface to guide movement of the master stage is arranged in a space opposite to a space where an exposure light beam to be reflected by the master passes.

[0014] According to the second aspect of the present invention, an exposure apparatus is comprising the movable stage apparatus described above.

[0015] According to the third aspect of the present invention, a device manufacturing method is including steps of applying a photosensitive material to a substrate, transferring a pattern by the exposure apparatus described above to the photosensitive material on the substrate coated with the photosensitive material, and developing the substrate on which the pattern has been transferred.

[0016] Other features and advantages besides those discussed above shall be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which follows. In the description, reference is made to accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which illustrate an example of the invention. Such example, however, is not exhaustive of the various embodiments of the invention, and therefore reference is made to the claims which follow the description for determining the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a view showing the schematic arrangement of a movable stage apparatus according to the first embodiment;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the relationship between a coarse movement stage and fine movement stage in the movable stage apparatus according to the first embodiment;

[0019]FIG. 3A is a view showing a section taken along the line a-b of FIG. 2;

[0020]FIG. 3B is a view showing a section taken along the line b-b of FIG. 2;

[0021]FIG. 4 is a view showing the schematic arrangement of a scanning type exposure apparatus which uses a movable stage apparatus according to the first or second embodiment;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a view showing the schematic arrangement of the movable stage apparatus according to the second embodiment;

[0023]FIG. 6 is a view showing the schematic arrangement of a conventional movable stage apparatus; and

[0024]FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the flow of an overall semiconductor device manufacturing process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0026] First, the outline of the preferred embodiments will be described.

[0027] A movable stage apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, when the space is divided by a plane including the reflection surface of a reticle as a master, a guide surface is formed in a space opposite to a space where an exposure light beam passes.

[0028] The movable stage apparatus desirably has a coarse/fine movement separate type stage including a coarse movement stage which reciprocally moves on a guide surface formed on a base in the scanning direction along the guide in a noncontact manner, and a fine movement stage having a 6-axis alignment mechanism.

[0029] Desirably, the stators of linear motors as thrust generating mechanisms for the coarse movement stage and fine movement stage are supported in noncontact with the base and are driven in a noncontact manner. The linear motor stators desirably have counter mass mechanisms that move in a direction opposite to the driving direction of the coarse movement stage when the coarse movement stage is driven.

[0030] Desirably, the fine movement stage is supported in noncontact with the coarse movement stage, and has an electromagnet which transmits a force, generated upon acceleration or deceleration of the coarse movement stage, to the fine movement stage in noncontact with it.

[0031] Desirably, the fine movement stage is supported in noncontact with the coarse movement stage by a 6-axis alignment mechanism which can perform 6-axis alignment control of the coarse movement stage by a fine movement linear motor, and by a self weight support mechanism which supports the weight of the fine movement stage, and is driven and aligned in a noncontact manner.

[0032] When alignment control of the fine movement stage by the 6-axis alignment mechanism is not performed, the fine movement stage may drop due to its own weight. Hence, a magnetic force generated by the self weight support mechanism desirably, constantly attracts the fine movement stage to the coarse movement stage with a force larger than the self weight of the fine movement stage. When the fine movement stage is attracted to the coarse movement stage by the magnetic force, the position and posture of the fine movement stage are desirably held by an abutting section by means of kinematic coupling in which three spherical bodies engage with a circular conical groove, V-groove, and flat surface, respectively.

[0033] Alignment by means of kinematic coupling is desirably used as initial alignment of a laser interferometer or the like.

[0034] Desirably, a mounted interferometer for measuring a Z position, ωx position (rolling), and ωy position (pitching), a mounted interferometer for measuring a Y position and ωz position (yawing), and a mounted interferometer for measuring an X position are mounted on a fine movement stage top plate, and a long mirror for measuring the Z position, ωx position (rolling), and ωy position (pitching), a short mirror for measuring the Y position and ωz position (yawing), and a long mirror for measuring the X position are mounted on a base vibration-insulated from a base that supports a reticle stage.

[0035] An exposure apparatus that has the movable stage described above, and the manufacture of semiconductor devices and display devices using the exposure apparatus are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0036] In the embodiments constituted as described above, when the space is divided by a plane including the reticle reflection surface, the guide surface of the reticle stage where a reflecting reticle is to be mounted is formed in a space opposite to a space where the exposure light beam passes. Thus, the optical system can be disposed freely and easily. Since the guide member of the reticle stage need not have an opening where the exposure light beam passes, an increase in rigidity and accuracy of the guide portion can be realized.

[0037] The fine movement stage is supported in noncontact with the coarse movement stage by the self weight support mechanism using magnetic elements and the 6-axis alignment mechanism using the fine movement linear motor. When alignment control by the linear motor is not performed, the fine movement stage may drop due to its own weight. Hence, the magnetic force generated by the self weight support mechanism is constantly set larger than the weight of the fine movement stage, so that heat generated by a Z-axis actuator in the direction of self weight can be decreased, and dropping of the fine movement stage can be prevented.

[0038] When the fine movement stage is attracted to the coarse movement stage by the magnetic force, it is abutted against and held by an alignment section by means of kinematic coupling. Thus, this alignment serves as aligning the initial position of the laser interferometer or the like.

[0039] A position measuring mirror which may decrease the alignment accuracy of the fine movement stage is formed not on the top plate of the fine movement stage, but on the base which is vibration-insulated from the base that supports the reticle stage and which supports the projection optical system. Thus, an increase in the accuracy of the fine movement stage can be realized.

[0040] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0041] (First Embodiment)

[0042]FIG. 1 is a view showing the schematic arrangement of a movable stage apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] The movable stage apparatus according to this embodiment has a reticle base 1, a flat plate-like guide 2 as a guide means fixed on the reticle base 1, a coarse movement stage 3 reciprocally movable along the guide 2 in the Y-axis direction (the scanning direction and non-scanning direction of the reticle stage are defined as Y- and X-axes, respectively, and will be respectively referred to as the Y- and X-axis directions hereinafter), a pair of linear motor stators 4 a and 4 b arranged on the two sides of the coarse movement stage 3 along its traveling path, and a pair of linear motor movable elements 5 a and 5 b integrally formed with the two side surfaces of the coarse movement stage 3. The linear motor stators 4 a and 4 b and the linear motor movable elements 5 a and 5 b make up a pair of linear motors 6 a and 6 b as a means for accelerating and decelerating the coarse movement stage 3 in the scanning direction. The linear motors 6 a and 6 b on the two sides are controlled independently of each other, thus enabling alignment in the rotational direction about the optical axis (the direction of the optical axis is defined as the Z-axis direction, and will be referred to as the Z-axis direction hereinafter). A fine movement stage 7 having alignment mechanisms of 6-axis directions, i.e., alignment in X-, Y-, and Z-axis directions and rotations ωx, ωy, and ωz about the X-, Y-, and Z-axes, respectively, is mounted on the coarse movement stage 3 in noncontact with it. In the following description, the integrated body of the coarse movement stage 3 and fine movement stage 7 put together will be called a reticle stage.

[0044] A reticle R is held by a reticle chuck 8 on the top plate of the fine movement stage 7. When the space is divided by a plane including the reticle reflection surface (pattern surface), the driving point of the guide surface 2 of the reticle stage and that of the coarse movement stage 3 are formed in a space opposite to a space where the exposure light beam passes.

[0045] Below the reticle stage, a wafer W as an exposure target body is held by a wafer stage, as shown in FIG. 4. The wafer stage also has a driving section similar to that of the reticle stage, and is controlled in the same manner as the reticle stage. Band-like exposure light which irradiates part of the reticle forms an image on the wafer W through a projection optical system constituted by reflection mirrors, and exposes the band-like region of the wafer W, thus transferring a reticle pattern. A mechanism that transfers the entire reticle pattern to the wafer by causing the reticle stage and wafer stage to travel synchronously is identical to that in the conventional projection exposure apparatus. At this time, the traveling positions of the reticle stage and wafer stage are detected by the interferometers, and are fed back to the respective driving sections. Acceleration and deceleration of the reticle stage, and acceleration control of the reticle stage during exposure are the same as those in the conventional case.

[0046] The coarse movement stage 3 has, on the guide 2, flat surfaces 2 h and 2 v serving as a reference when it reciprocally moves. The flat surface 2 h is a surface parallel to the X-Y plane. The flat surface 2 v is a surface parallel to the Y-Z plane.

[0047] The coarse movement stage 3 is supported and guided by a hydrostatic bearing 10 a in noncontact with the reference surface 2 formed on the guide side surface. The coarse movement stage 3 also has a preload mechanism for generating an attracting force between the guide upper surface 2 h and side surface 2 v. When a permanent magnet is used as the preload mechanism, the base is limited to a magnetic body. When a vacuum suction mechanism is used as the preload mechanism, the material of the base is not particularly limited. The noncontact support mechanism is not limited to one using a hydrostatic bearing, but can be a magnetic levitated type support mechanism using the Lorentz force or reactance force.

[0048] The linear motor stators 4 a and 4 b arranged on the two sides of the coarse movement stage 3 along its traveling path are supported and guided by a hydrostatic bearing 10 in noncontact with the guide surface formed on the base 1, in the same manner as the coarse movement stage 3 described above, and have counter masses 9 a and 9 b, respectively.

[0049] With the above arrangement, when the coarse movement stage 3 is driven in the Y-axis (scanning) direction, the linear motor stators 4 a and 4 b move in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the coarse movement stage 3 due to the reaction force generated upon driving the coarse movement stage 3. At this time, the moving amounts of the linear motor stators 4 a and 4 b are determined by the ratio in mass of the coarse movement stage 3 to the linear motor stators 4 a and 4 b. The driving reaction force generated upon driving the coarse movement stage 3 is thus canceled, so that the main body structure that supports the base 1 does not vibrate largely. As the position of the total barycenter of the coarse movement stage 3 and linear motor stators 4 a and 4 b does not move in the scanning direction, the main body structure does not deform. The pair of left and right linear motors 6 a and 6 b are independent of each other. Even when control in the rotational direction about the Z-axis is performed, as the barycenters and the driving points of the counter masses 9 a and 9 b coincide, no rotational force is generated in the counter masses 9 a and 9 b, and no reaction force in the rotational direction is transmitted to the structure that the counter masses 9 a and 9 b support. The linear motors 6 a and 6 b, i.e., the guide mechanisms of the counter masses 9 a and 9 b need only transmit a reaction force in the scanning-axis (Y-axis) direction.

[0050] The position measurement of the fine movement stage will be described.

[0051] A mounted interferometer 11 z for measuring a Z position, ωx position (rolling), and ωy position (pitching), a mounted interferometer (not shown) for measuring a Y position and ωz position (yawing), and a mounted interferometer 11 x for measuring an X position are mounted on the fine movement stage 7, and a long mirror 12 z for measuring the Z position, ωx position, and ωy position, a short mirror (not shown) for measuring the Y position and ωz position (yawing), and a long mirror 12 x for measuring the X position are mounted on another base 13 vibration-insulated from the base 1 that supports the reticle stage. Hence, the positions in 6 degrees of freedom of the fine movement stage 7 are measured.

[0052] According to the above arrangement, the long mirrors which decrease the positioning accuracy of the fine movement stage 7 by vibration are arranged not on the fine movement stage 7. but on the base 13 that supports the projection optical system vibration-insulated from the base 1 that supports the reticle stage. Thus, an increase in accuracy of the fine movement stage 7 can be realized.

[0053] The relationship between the coarse movement stage 3 and fine movement stage 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0054]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the movable stage apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in a direction perpendicular to the reticle R. FIG. 3A is a sectional view taken along the line a-b of FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along the line b-b of FIG. 2.

[0055] In the movable stage apparatus according to this embodiment, self weight support mechanisms 21 which support a self weight 27 of the fine movement stage 7, 6-axis alignment mechanisms 22, 23, and 24, electromagnets 25 which transmit the forces generated in the linear motors 6 a and 6 b upon accelerating or decelerating the coarse movement stage 3 in the Y-axis direction, and alignment sections 26 using kinematic coupling are arranged between the fine movement stage 7 and coarse movement stage 3.

[0056] The fine movement stage 7 which can be aligned in the 6-axis directions is mounted in noncontact with the coarse movement stage 3 in the direction of gravity (lower side). Since the fine movement stage 7 is supported in noncontact with the coarse movement stage 3, the behavior (vibration) of the coarse movement stage 3 is not transmitted to the fine movement stage 7.

[0057] An actuator that performs alignment in the 6-axis directions requires noncontact driving and high-accuracy alignment, and accordingly desirably uses the linear motors 22, 23, and 24. In this case, for the convenience of wiring or the like, coils are desirably provided to stationary sides (coarse movement stage sides) 22 a, 23 a, and 24 a, and permanent magnets are desirably provided to movable sides (fine movement stage sides) 22 b, 23 b, and 24 b.

[0058] As the linear motors, the X-direction fine movement linear motors 22 to drive the fine movement stage 7 in the X-axis direction, the Y-direction fine movement linear motors 23 to drive the fine movement stage 7 in the Y-axis direction, and the Z-direction fine movement linear motors 24 to drive the fine movement stage 7 in the Z-axis direction are provided. According to this embodiment, the-X-direction fine movement linear motors 22 include two motors 22, and the Y-direction fine movement linear motors 23 include two motors 23. With this arrangement, the fine movement stage 7 can be moved not only in the directions of the respective axes, but can also be driven in the rotational direction ωz about the Z-axis. The Z-direction fine movement linear motors 24 include three motors 24. Thus, the fine movement stage 7 can be moved not only in the Z direction, but can also be driven in the tilt directions (ωx and ωy).

[0059] In this embodiment, 7 fine movement linear motors are used as the 6-axis alignment mechanisms for the fine movement stage 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this arrangement, but can employ any other arrangement as far as it can generate thrusts in 6-axis directions.

[0060] The initial position of the fine movement stage 7 with respect to the coarse movement stage 3 is determined by the alignment sections 26 by means of kinematic coupling. The alignment sections 26 include three spherical bodies equidistant in the circumferential direction. The spherical bodies engage with a circular conical groove, V-groove, and flat surface, respectively. Thus, the positions of the fine movement stage 7 in the 6-axis directions are constrained, and the posture of the fine movement stage 7 with respect to the coarse movement stage 3 is determined.

[0061] An electromagnetic coupling will be described with reference to FIG. 3A.

[0062] In this embodiment, the fine movement linear motors 22 and 23 in the X- and Y-axis directions for the coarse movement stage 3 serve to align slightly, and generate small thrusts, so that they cannot apply thrusts as they are over a long distance.

[0063] In view of this, E-shaped electromagnets 25 a, which transmit forces generated by the linear motors 6 a and 6 b upon accelerating or decelerating the coarse movement stage 3 in the Y-axis direction to the fine movement stage 7 in a noncontact manner, are arranged at the center of the coarse movement stage 3 to be perpendicular to the Y-axis direction. Magnetic blocks 25 b corresponding to the E-shaped electromagnets 25 a are provided to the center of the fine movement stage 7. The electromagnets can be of any type as far as they can generate an attracting force for a magnetic body when currents are supplied to the coils of the electromagnets, and are not limited to the E-shaped ones as in this embodiment.

[0064] Only attracting forces are generated between the electromagnets 25 a and magnetic blocks 25 b regardless of the directions of the currents supplied to the coils of the electromagnets. When an electromagnet that generates an attracting force in a positive driving direction and an electromagnet that generates an attracting force in a negative driving direction are provided to form a pair, a large attracting force is applied in the positive and negative Y-axis directions, so that the force generated upon acceleration or deceleration may be transmitted to the fine movement stage 7 in noncontact with it.

[0065] With the above arrangement, the X- and Y-axis fine movement linear motors 22 and 23 need only perform slight position control of the fine movement stage 7, and any current that may substantially generate heat to pose an issue does not flow through the X- and Y-axis fine movement linear motors 22 and 23.

[0066] The self weight support mechanisms 21 will be described with reference to FIG. 3B.

[0067] Each self weight support mechanism 21 is constituted by a magnet 21 a and magnets 21 b the magnetic forces of which act on each other, and yokes 21 c. The magnets of the same pole face each other, and thrust forces in the Z-axis direction (forces that lift the fine movement stage 7 toward the coarse movement stage 3) generated between the magnets of the same pole are utilized, so that the weight of the fine movement stage 7 is supported. In order to cancel forces other than those in the Z-axis direction, the facing magnets are arranged to be symmetrical with respect to the Z-axis.

[0068] With the above arrangement, the Z-direction fine movement linear motors 24 need not have a function of supporting the weight of the fine movement stage 7, but only need to perform position control exclusively. Therefore, any current that may substantially generate heat to pose an issue does not flow through the Z-direction fine movement linear motors 24.

[0069] The magnetic attracting force in the Z-axis direction generated by the self weight support mechanisms 21 is always larger than the weight 27 of the fine movement stage 7.

[0070] The fine movement stage 7 supports the coarse movement stage 3 in noncontact with it by the self weight support mechanisms 21 and the 6-axis alignment mechanisms 22, 23, and 24 by means of linear motors. Hence, when position control of fine movement stage 7 by means of the Z-direction fine movement linear motors 24 is not performed, the fine movement stage 7 may drop due to its own weight.

[0071] In view of this, the magnetic attracting force generated by the self weight support mechanisms 21 is set to be always larger than the self weight 27 of the fine movement stage 7. When alignment control of the fine movement stage 7 is not performed, the fine movement stage 7 is attracted to the coarse movement stage 3 by the magnetic attracting force of the self weight support mechanisms 21.

[0072] With the above arrangement, the fine movement stage 7 can be prevented from dropping. Also, when the fine movement stage 7 is to be attracted to the coarse movement stage 3 by the magnetic force, it is abutted against and held by the alignment sections 26 by means of kinematic coupling, so that the alignment sections 26 can perform alignment for the initial positions of the laser interferometers or the like.

[0073] (Second Embodiment)

[0074]FIG. 5 is a view showing the schematic arrangement of a movable stage apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] According to this embodiment, a guide surface 2 a which supports a coarse movement linear motor stator 5 and counter mass 9, identical to those of the first embodiment, in noncontact with them is arranged below them.

[0076] With this arrangement, the weight of the coarse movement linear motor stator 5 of the coarse movement stage and that of the counter mass 9 act on the guide surface 2 a as a preload, so that the preload force generated by a permanent magnet or the like can be decreased as compared to the case of the first embodiment.

[0077] According to this embodiment, the guide surface 2 a which supports the counter mass 9 of the coarse movement stage in noncontact with it is integral with a guide surface 2 that supports a coarse movement stage 3 in noncontact with it. The arrangement of the guide surface 2 a which supports the counter mass 9 in noncontact with it is not particularly limited to this. Alternatively, the counter mass 9 may be supported by another structure vibration-insulated from a structure where the guide surface 2, that supports the coarse movement stage 3 in noncontact with it, is supported.

[0078] Except for this, the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, and a description thereof will accordingly be omitted.

[0079] As described above, according to the embodiments described above, the optical system can be disposed freely and easily without interfering with the optical path where the exposure light beam passes. The guide member of the reticle stage need not have an opening where the exposure light beam passes. Therefore, an increase in rigidity and accuracy of the guide portion can be realized.

[0080] A semiconductor device manufacturing process which utilizes this exposure apparatus will be described. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the flow of an overall semiconductor device manufacturing process.

[0081] In step 1 (circuit design), a semiconductor device circuit is designed. In step 2 (mask fabrication), a mask is fabricated based on the designed circuit pattern.

[0082] In step 3 (wafer manufacture), a wafer is manufactured using a material such as silicon. In step 4 (wafer process) called a preprocess, an actual circuit is formed on the wafer by lithography using the mask and wafer with the exposure apparatus described above. In step 5 (assembly) called a post-process, a semiconductor chip is formed from the wafer fabricated in step 4. This step includes processes such as assembly (dicing and bonding) and packaging (chip encapsulation). In step 6 (inspection), inspections including operation check test and durability test of the semiconductor device fabricated in step 5 are performed. A semiconductor device is completed with these processes, and shipped in step 7.

[0083] The wafer process of step 4 has the following steps, i.e., an oxidation step of oxidizing the surface of the wafer, a CVD step of forming an insulating film on the wafer surface, an electrode formation step of forming an electrode on the wafer by deposition, an ion implantation step of implanting ions into the wafer, a resist processing step of applying a photosensitive agent to the wafer, an exposure step of transferring the circuit pattern to the wafer after the resist processing step with the exposure apparatus described above, a developing step of developing the wafer exposed in the exposure step, an etching step of etching portions other than the resist image developed in the developing step, and a resist stripping step of stripping any unnecessary resist after etching. By repeating these steps, a multilayered structure of circuit patterns is formed on the wafer.

[0084] As has been described above, according to the above embodiments, a space including the guide surface of the reticle stage may not interfere with the exposure light beam.

[0085] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and various changes and modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, to apprise the public of the scope of the present invention the following claims are made. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A movable stage apparatus comprising a master stage on which a reflecting master is to be mounted, wherein when a space is divided by a plane including a reflection surface of the master, a guide surface to guide movement of the master stage is arranged in a space opposite to a space where an exposure light beam to be reflected by the master passes.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reticle stage is movably supported in noncontact with a base of the movable stage apparatus.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reticle stage comprises a coarse movement stage which reciprocally moves on the guide surface formed on a base of the movable stage apparatus in a scanning direction along said guide surface in noncontact with said guide surface, and a fine movement stage arranged on said coarse movement stage and having a 6-axis alignment mechanism.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a driving point of said coarse movement stage is arranged between the reflection surface of the reticle and said guide surface.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a thrust generating mechanism for said coarse movement stage includes a plurality of linear motors arranged parallel to the scanning direction, and said linear motors are controlled independently of each other, so that a rotational posture of said coarse movement stage is controlled.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein stators of said linear motors are movably supported in noncontact with said base, and comprise counter masses which move in a direction opposite to a driving direction of said coarse movement stage due to a moving reaction force of said coarse movement stage.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein driving points for said linear motors and barycentric positions of said stators substantially coincide with each other at least in the non-scanning direction and the gravity direction.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an electromagnet which transmits a force, generated upon acceleration or deceleration of said coarse movement stage, to said fine movement stage in noncontact with said fine movement stage.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the reflection surface of the reticle is arranged to face vertically downward, and said fine movement stage is supported in noncontact with said coarse movement stage and is positioned in 6-axis directions by a 6-axis alignment mechanism which can perform position control of said coarse movement stage in 6-axis alignments, and by a self weight support mechanism which supports a weight of said fine movement stage.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said self weight support mechanism so supports a weight of said fine movement stage as to push up said fine movement stage toward said coarse movement stage with a magnetic force.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when said 6-axis alignment mechanism does not perform position control of said fine movement stage, said fine movement stage is urged against said coarse movement stage by the magnetic force, and abuts against a alignment section arranged on said coarse movement stage, so that a position and posture of said fine movement stage are regulated.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said alignment section causes three spherical bodies to engage with a circular conical groove, V-groove, and flat surface, respectively, thus performing alignment.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an interferometer to measure rolling, pitching, and a Z-axis position as a vertical direction of said fine movement stage, an interferometer to measure yawing and a Y-axis position perpendicular to the vertical direction, and an interferometer to measure an X-axis position perpendicular to Y and Z axes are mounted on a top plate of said fine movement stage, and a long mirror to measure the Z-axis position, rolling, and pitching, a short mirror to measure the Y-axis position and yawing, and a long mirror to measure the X-axis position are mounted on a base which supports a projection optical system and which is vibration-insulated from a base that supports said reticle stage.
 14. An exposure apparatus comprising a movable stage apparatus according to claim
 1. 15. A device manufacturing method including steps of applying a photosensitive material to a substrate, transferring a pattern by an exposure apparatus according to claim 14 to the photosensitive material on the substrate coated with the photosensitive material, and developing the substrate on which the pattern has been transferred. 